Los Angeles City Council Places Own Marijuana Initiatives on Ballot

Los Angeles voters will be presented not only one, but two medical marijuana measures on May 21 after the Los Angeles City Council voted to place on Tuesday its own marijuana measures on city ballot.

ABC7 reports one measure would trim the number of storefront medical marijuana clinics to about 100 from the more than 500 dispensaries operating in LA. Another measure would require the clinics to operate at least 600–1,000 meters away from schools, parks, libraries, child care centers and religious institutions, but no limitations will be imposed on the number of storefront clinics that will operate in the city.

A third measure, sponsored by Councilman Paul Koretz, which reduces the number of medical marijuana dispensaries but increases the business tax on the establishments was objected by Council members Joe Buscaino, Mitch Englander, Jose Huizar and Bernard Parks. However, a required second vote is likely to happen next week. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance, and Americans for Safe Access L.A. have announced their support for Koretz’s proposal.